From the March, 2007 issue of Stock Car Insider

Montoya Captures Controversial Win in Mexico!

Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Juan Pablo Montoya Captures Controversial Win!

NASCAR got a big assist from Juan Pablo Montoya in its Drive for Diversity yesterday in the Telcel-Motorola 200 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez! The Columbian native garnered the first win for a Hispanic in one of NASCAR's top series, and it could not have occurred in a more perfect setting than Mexico City.

The win was not without controversy, however. Montoya had spent the second half of the race battling his way back to the front of the field after mechanical problems in a pit stop on lap 45 sent him to 21st position. By lap 72, Juan was sitting in 2nd position with only 8 laps and teammate Scott Pruitt sitting between him and victory lane. Driving hard into turn 1, Montoya edged under the #41 Juicy Fruit Dodge and sent Pruitt spinning. While I'm sure some will take issue with how Montoya won, no one can doubt that Juan has embraced the fender banging aspects of NASCAR that Dale Earnhardt made famous.

In a few weeks, how Montoya won the race will be forgotten, but the fact that he won will be remembered by Hispanic fans forever. This is what NASCAR wants, and this is what NASCAR desperately needs. As NASCAR continues to grow and compete for the title as America's top sport, it will depend on support from its traditional fan base along with increasing the sports popularity in what is now the nation’s largest minority group, Hispanics.

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Kevin Harvick Suffers Major Setback at California

It's nothing new to a seasoned NASCAR fan. Your favorite driver is gunning for the lead only to have the race gods frown on him at the end. What was making for an exciting finish to the Auto Club 500 in California yesterday with Kevin Harvick taking huge strides to catch leader Matt Kenseth, turned sour quickly on the last restart of the race. Just before going green, the #29 car of
Harvick had a left front go flat. As a result, Kevin had to pit at the end, and ended the race in 17th place.

The setback dropped Kevin to 4th in the points. However, Harvick fans do not be dismayed. The resurgence of Richard Childress Racing that we saw last year seems to have carried through to this season. Currently, all 3 drivers for RCR sit in the top 6 in points. And as typical in NASCAR, successful teams are a breeding ground for even more success.

Look for Kevin to rebound next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Historically, Harvick hasn't faired well at the speedway type tracks. However, history doesn't take into account the recent dominance of Richard Childress Racing.

Auto Club 500 at California Speedway Recap

The California sun wasn't shining so bright on DEI drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr and Martin Truex Jr in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Both suffered early race engine failures and finished 40th and 43rd respectively. Is the DEI drama too much for Jr who currently sits 41st in points?

One person not suffering any setbacks as a result from the dramatic finish at Daytona is Mark Martin. The partially retired Viagra man is still getting it on and finished yesterday in 5th place. Only in NASCAR does 5 + 2 = 1st place in the point standings.

Other top drivers faired as follows:

Jeff Gordon is having a strong start to his 2007 campaign. With a 12th place finish at Daytona, and a 2nd place finish in California, the 4 time champion is making his case for a 5th. Jeff currently sits 3rd in the points.

Jimmie Johnson rebounded from his wretched 39th place finish at Daytona with a 3rd place finish in California. The reigning champion currently sits 15th in points.

Tony Stewart also made up ground after finishing 43rd at the Daytona. Stewart finished in 8th position and currently sits 21st in points.

Kasey Kahne started the 2007 season with a step in the right direction at Daytona. But the driver with the most wins in 2006 took a major step back at California with a 38th place finish. Kahne currently sits in 32nd place.

Carl Edwards can't seem to find any luck in 2007. Edwards currently sits in 26th position after a 29th place finish at California and a 23rd place finish at Daytona.

Juan Pablo Montoya is still in grade school in terms of his NASCAR education. The Columbian born star currently sits in 20th position after a 19th place finish at Daytona, and a 26th place finish in California.